Griffin



June 12, 1956 L. GRIFFIN ORTHOPEDIC TABLE Filed July 8, 1952 3Sheets-Sheet l HVVENTUR.

LEL/A GE/FF/N June 12, 1956 R N 2,749,911

ORTHOPEDIC TABLE Filed July 8, 1952 :s Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

L EL 1/: GRIFFIN ORTHUPEDIC TABLE Lelia Grifiin, Tucson, Ariz.

Application July 8, 1952, Serial No. 297,700

14 Claims. (Cl. 128-70) My invention relates in general to orthopedicappliances, and more specifically to a treatment appliance in thegeneral form of a table.

in the modern medical treatment of many ailments and deformities,orthopedists have resorted extensively to physical therapy techniquesgenerally new to the medical profession. For the most part, physicaltherapy devices available for treatments are unsatisfactory because theyhave been developed by other professions and trades in which the purposesought to be accomplished was specifically different. Many devices ofthe general character under discussion, for example, have been intendedfor the exercising of the entire body or portions of the body andtherefore have no utility in those conditions where motion has beenlost. As an example, there are many arrested or partially. arrestedarthritic, paralytic, and like cases in which patients have very limitedand sometimes substantially totally limited voluntary movement ofcertain parts of the body. In many such cases it is common for thephysical therapist to stabilize or hold inactive a portion of the bodywhile gradually applying movement of a member in a direction in whichsuch movement has been totally or partially lost.

Such techniques not only require the expenditure of great physicaleffort on the part of the therapist, but they leave something to bedesired in that there is no certain guide to the extent to which theinactivated member is stressed, the sole criterion being the trainedjudgment of the therapist. When the expenditure of great physical energyis necessary over a period of time, even the highly skilled therapistwill become sufficiently fatigued so that he or she no longer canexercise the same care and judgment which are possible in the absence offatigue.

Some attempts have been made by means of guides to measure the amount ofdeflection obtained in a given case and to place a stop in a position tolimit such movement; but in general these devices, while helpful, tendto defeat the purpose of the manipulation itself.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of an orthopedictable which not only facilitates modern types of treatment, but in manyrespects provides means for improving the same.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an orthopedic tableby means of which substantially any part of the body may be moved in aprecise and rhythmic manner.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an orthopedictable in which a body member may be moved repeatedly through an exactcycle of movement and in which the magnitude of the movement may beincreased from time to time as the progress of the patient warrants.

Other specific objects and features of the invention will be brought outin connection with the following description taken with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating one embodiment of my invention, someof the parts being dotted in to show the relative arrangement thereof; I

nited States Patent 2,749,911 Fatented June 12, 1956 Fig. 2 is a sideelevational view;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, sectional view partly in elevationand with some parts broken away to show the construction of apositioning clutch mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to a portion of Fig. 2,but showing a table extension adjusted to a difierent starting position;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view showing an adjustable drivefeature;

Fig. 7 is an irregular sectional view taken on the line '7-'7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view partly in elevation, taken alongthe line 8--8 of Fig. 1, the mid-portion of the section being broken toconserve space;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1tl10 of Fig.9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a traction feature;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. ll but showing another form oftraction device; and

Fig. 13 is an end elevational view showing one of many possible forms ofstabilizing devices which may be used.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the tablecomprises a main top portion 16; a sectionalized end portion 17 having alongitudinal opening 13; an end section 19 having a transverse opening21; and a pair of extensions 22 and 23. The portions 16, 17 and 19 aresuitably upholstered, removable pieces resting on a frame indicatedgenerally by the reference character 24.

As shown, the operating mechanism is preferably housed in side panels asindicated; and in order not to mask the showing of significant details,only some portions of a suitable framework are shown. A bottom frameportion 26 carries suitable casters 27 so that the table may be movedfrom place to place.

The extensions 22 and 23 and the drive mechanism therefore areidentical, except for the necessary right and left positions. Each suchextension is mounted on a bracket 28 which is integral with a clutchmember 29 of generally tubular cross section, and through one end ofwhich a rock shaft 31 extends. The clutch member 29 has end projections32 in the nature of teeth which mesh with end projections 33 in a clutchmember 34 pinned to shaft 31. Within the clutch member 29 andsurrounding shaft 31 is a coiled spring 36 which is compressed between ashoulder on the inside of such clutch member and a collar 37 pinned orotherwise fixed on shaft 31. Shaft 31 rocks in suitable bearings 38 andhas secured thereto a crank 39 through which it is reciprocally driven.

The dotted portions of extension 23 illustrate the reciprocating actionthereof, according to one setting of the drive mechanism. As will bepointed out hereinbelow, however, the extensions 22-23 may be operatedin many different Ways, depending upon the results desired. All of themovement which is imparted to such extensions, however, results from theoperation of an electric motor 41 which drives a change speedtransmission 42 through a coupler 43 between the motor and transmissionshafts, respectively. A handle 44 extends to a position where it may beengaged for adjustment of the transmission 42.

The transmission 42 has the usual drive shaft to which a sheave 46 isconnected; and a belt 47 trained around the sheave and around a pulley43 drives a transverse shaft 49 journaled in suitable bearings 51 (seeFig. Each end of the shaft 49 has secured thereto a circular twin disktype of device 52 with a central opening 53 between the two diskportions. A slot 54 in the outermost wall of the disk device 52 has aseries of projections 56 on both sides thereof, said projections beingin the nature of teeth and adapted to mesh with similar projections on acollar 57 around a screw 58 on which a special nut 59 is threaded. Thescrew 58 has a head 61 secured in the opening 53 so that by releasingthe nut 59 the entire assembly comprising the screw, collar, and nut canbe moved radially toward or away from the axis of shaft 49.

The special nut 59 has a connecting rod 62 pivoted thereto, and theopposite end of such rod is pivoted to the crank arm 39. The special nut59 therefore functions in the nature of a crank to reciprocate the rod62 to a desired extent, it being obvious that if the special nut 59 isconnected to dead center, there will be no movement of the connectingrod 62.

At the opposite end of the table and immediately below the opening 18 Iprovide a longitudinally extending guide rod 63 suitably secured at itsends to the frame structure. Carriage 64 is reciprocal on the rod andhas a portion projecting up through the opening 18 to carry a head rest66. A downwardly extending portion has a cable 67 secured to it, saidcable being trained around a pair of sheaves 68 and 69 and having itsopposite end secured to a rotatable pin 71 projecting into a suitableone of several openings in a disk 72.

The disk 72 is driven by a shaft 73 extending from a transmission device74 driven by a motor 76, a shift rod 77 being provided to control thespeed at which the shaft 73 turns.

A spring 78 is tensioned between the carriage 64 and a portion of theframe structure. By this mechanism the carriage 64 is moved to the left,looking at Fig. 9, by the cable 67 and returned by the action of spring78. By selecting the position of pin 71, the extent of movement can becontrolled.

The carriage 64 has a generally L-shaped longitudinal extension 79 lyingin the opening 18. The leg of the L provides a means for mountingthereto suitable appliances, depending upon the treatment desired.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 11, a right-angular extension 81 carries a block82 through which an L-shaped rod 83 extends. The rod 83 has a pad 84 atone end adapted to be positioned under the chin of a patient when hishead is on the head rest 66. Wing nuts are provided at each connectionto secure the entire mechanism in the position to which it has beenadjusted. Fig. 12 shows a modification in which a T-shaped member 86 issecured to the carriage extension 79; this T-shaped member, for example,being grasped with the hands.

Beneath the opening 21 there are provided two special screws 87journaled in bearings 88 and terminating in exterior cranks 89. Threadedon the screws are uprights 91 which are prevented from turning by guides92 (one being shown in Fig. 8) on opposite sides of the uprights. Byturning the cranks 89, the uprights 91 may be adjusted toward or awayfrom the center of the table. These uprights are adapted to carrysuitable stabilizing devices 93 for holding any portion of the body of apatient during treatment. In Fig. 13 I show only a simple form of suchstabilizing device; but it will be understood that several of suchdevices of suitable conformations and configurations are made available,depending upon the particular holding or stabilizing action desired.Those shown in Fig. 13, for example, may be used to engage around thehips when the legs are to be flexed by means of the extensions 22 and23.

The table of my invention may be used in many differout ways, and it isimpossible to describe all of the different types of manipulation forwhich it may be used. Looking first to the extensions 22 and 23, it willbe seen that by forcing the entire extension and clutch memberassociated with it against the spring 36, the normal or startingposition (that is to say, the mid point between extremes of movement)can be selected. As an illustration, Fig. 2 shows the extentions in fulllines at the same level as the remaining portion of the table, and thedotted lines indicate the two extremes of movement, the extension 23 inthe instance shown in Fig. 2 being reciprocated between the upper andlower dotted line positions.

On the other hand, by manipulating the clutch device, the movementindicated in Fig. 4 may be obtained. This movement may be relativelyrapid or relatively very slow, depending upon the adjustment of thetransmission mechanism 42.

Moreover, by changing the position of the crank comprising the specialnut 59, the magnitude of the reciproeating motion may also be changed.

Still another form of adjustment has to do with the relative movement ofthe extensions 22 and 23. While a single drive is used for both of theseextensions, it is obvious that the structure makes possible completelyindependent movement of the two extensions. In other words, they may bemoved alternately in the manner of a pair of scissors, they may be movedin unison, one may be stationary while the other moves, or one may havemore movement or a slower movement than the other. Almost any part ofthe body may be manipulated by means of these two extensions. When theyare adjusted to substantially an upright position, for example, arolling or rocking motion may be imparted to the shoulders or pelvicregion, depending upon the position of the patient.

I have shown no straps, pads, rails or the like aids commonly used withdevices of this general type; but it is of course obvious that any ofthese customary and usual devices may be employed.

As only one example of a particular kind of treatment, I may considerthe case of where there is very limited movement in a joint. I havefound that instead of applying continued pressure to produce greatermovement such as is conventional, I may adjust one of the extensions tooperate to the extreme movement permitted in such joint and reciprocatethe extension and thus continuously and intermittently move the joint tothe extrerne of movement for several minutes. it is then possible toadjust for slightly more movement and then operate for a further fewminutes; and in this way be repeated treatments gradually restore moremovement and in a much more effective manner than by too much forcing inone manipulation or operation. The stabilizing device illustrated inFig. 13 facilitates such kind of treatment.

The traction feature is utilized in the same general manner, obtainingonly as much traction movement as the circumstances of the case require.The head rest has the effect of holding the entire spine in line, andthere is no sliding of the head'aud rotating of the head such as occursin other types of support. The traction device may be used to applytraction to any part of the body, although it has its most frequentapplication in the type of treatment involving the neck and shoulders asthe description of the head rest 66 and chin pad 84 imply. During theoperation of the traction device, the stabilizing feature may also beused; and i may even use the traction in combination with the extensionmechanism in certain types of treatments.

I claim:

1. In an orthopedic table, a supporting frame, a top portion on saidframe, a pair of extensions normally in the plane of said top portion,said extensions being individually supported on said frame for pivotalmovement on atransverse axis with respect to said top portion; means onsaid frame for reciprocating said extensions rhythmically about saidpivotal support on opposite sides of the said normal position thereof;and clutch means individual to each such extension for changing saidnormal position about which said extensions reciprocate.

2. An orthopedic table as defined in claim 1, including means forcontrolling the speed at which each cycle of reciprocation occurs.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, including separate means for eachextension for controlling the magnitude of the reciprocation thereof.

4. The combination defined in claim 1, including separate means for eachextension for controlling the amplitude of the reciprocation thereof,said means being adjustable to zero movement position for eitherextension.

5. In an orthopedic table, a top portion; a pair of aligned transverseshafts journaled in bearings at one end of said top portion; a clutchmember secured to each transverse shaft; a pair of top portionextensions mounted on brackets, said brackets including clutch membersadapted for driving connection to said first mentioned clutch members,said driving and driven clutch members being mutually engageable at aplurality of positions; a variable speed drive mechanism; a singletransverse shaft below said top portion; a drive connection between saidvariable speed drive mechanism and said single transverse shaft; a discdevice at each end of said single transverse shaft; a crank arm securedto each one of said aligned shafts; a connecting rod between each crankarm and one of said disc devices; and means on the disc device forradially adjusting the point of attachment between each said connectingrod and disc device.

6. In an orthopedic table, a top portion; a pair of aligned transverseshafts journaled in bearings at one end of said top portion; a clutchmember secured to each transverse shaft; a pair of top portionextensions mounted on brackets, said brackets including clutch membersadapted for driving connection to said first mentioned clutch members,said driving and driven clutch members being mutually engageaole at aplurality of positions; a crank arm secured to each of said alignedshafts; a single transverse driven shaft beneath the top portion; acrank device at each end of said single shaft; and connecting rodsbetween said crank devices and said crank arms to reciprocally rotatesaid pair of aligned shafts.

7. In an orthopedic table, a top portion; a pair of aligned transverseshafts journaled in bearings at one end of said top portion; a clutchmember secured to each transverse shaft; a pair of top portionextensions mounted on brackets, said brackets including clutch membersadapted for driving connection to said first mentioned clutch members,said driving and driven clutch members being mutually engageable at aplurality of positions; a crank arm secured to each said shaft; a singletransverse driven shaft beneath the top portion; a crank device at eachend of said single shaft; connecting rods between said crank devices toreciprocally rotate said pair of aligned shafts; and means forcontrolling the effective crank length of said crank devices on saidsingle shaft to individually control the amplitude of reciprocation ofsaid pair of aligned shafts.

8. An orthopedic table comprising a main stationary horizontal topportion; a pair of extensions forming, in a normal position, acontinuation of such top portion, said extensions being individuallysupported on pivots transverse to and at one end of the main topportion; drive means for mechanically reciprocating said extensionsabout their pivots; means forming a transverse slot in said top portionnear that end thereof adjacent the extensions and a central longitudinalslot at the opposite end; a pair of uprights separately adjustable alongsaid transverse slot and adapted to carry suitable body-stabilizingdevices, and an upright reciprocally supported in said longitudinal slotfor carrying a body-supporting member for the application of tractionthereto.

9. An orthopedic table comprising a frame, a main stationary horizontaltop portion on said frame; a transverse rock shaft supported i2.bearings at one end of said top portion; a clutch member integral withthe shaft, a second clutch member surrounding the shaft and springpressed into engagement with the first clutch member; an extension ofsaid top portion supported by said second clutch member; and meansincluding a motor-driven shaft carried by the frame for reciprocatingsaid rock shaft about its axis to reciprocate said extension on oppositesides of a median position, said clutch members being separable bymoving the second clutch member against said spring and re-engagable tochange said median position.

10. The combination defined in claim 9 in which two such extensions areprovided and each is separately adjustable and reciprocable.

ll. An orthopedic table comprising a frame, a main stationary horizontaltop portion above the frame; a pair of aligned transverse rock shaftssupported in bearings carried by the frame at one end of the topportion; a driving clutch member secured on each shaft; a second drivenclutch member on each shaft spring biased into engagement with the firstclutch member; and a top extension secured to each driven clutch member,and driving means carried by the frame for individually reciprocatingsuch rock shafts.

12. An orthopedic table comprising a frame, a main stationary horizontaltop portion; a pair of aligned transverse rock shafts supported inbearings carried by the frame at one end of the top portion; a drivingclutch member secured on each shaft; a second driven clutch member oneach shaft spring biased into engagement with the first clutch member; atop extension secured to each driven clutch member; a drive mechanism onthe frame for individually reciprocating the rock shafts; and meansincluding an adjustable length crank forming a part of said drivemechanism for individually modifying the amplitude of suchreciprocation.

13. in an orthopedic table, a frame, a top portion on the frame, one endof said top portion being provided with a central longitudinal slot, aguide rail carried by the frame beneath said slot, a carriagelongitudinally movable on said guide rail with an extension projectingupwardly through said slot, 21 head rest carried by the extension abovesaid slot, a traction device carried by the carriage above the headrest, an electric driving motor carried by the frame, a change speeddevice driven by said motor, a mechanical drive including a crank drivenby said change speed device and mechanical linkage to between said crankand carriage to move the same in one direction, a spring tensioned bymovement of the carriage for moving the same in a return direction, andmeans for controlling the length of said crank.

14. In an orthopedic table a supporting frame, a top portion on saidframe, at least one extension normally in the plane of said top portion,said extension being supported for pivotal movement on a transverse axiswith respect to said top portion, means on the frame for reciprocatingsaid extension about said pivotal support on opposite sides of its saidnormal position, a pair of uprights separately adjustable in atransverse slot in said top portion, and individual members on saiduprights shaped to engage a portion of a human body to stabilize itagainst movement as another portion of such human body is moved by saidextension.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,686,979 McManis Oct. 9, 1928 1,931,999 Smith Oct. 24, 1933 1,950,948Murray Mar. 13, 1934 2,598,204 Allen May 27, 1952

